Without hesitation, she proffered the device to him.

Holden found himself unable to resist that beseeching gaze. He crouched down, his fingers tenderly grazing Adele's tousled hair, as he gently inquired, “Adele, do you wish to make a phone call to someone?"

Adele bowed her head, her response a hushed silence, her tiny fingers tracing patterns across the screen.

With unwavering patience, Holden waited. In time, Adele nodded, her voice a soft murmur.

"Call."

"And who would you like to call, Adele?" Holden asked, his tone imbued with tenderness.

Once more, Adele lowered her head. After a protracted pause, she whispered the word "Aria."

In that instant, Holden's heart swelled with warmth. He had observed the depth of Adele's reliance on and affection for Ariana, particularly in light of the progress Adele had made in speech, a testament to Ariana's devoted efforts.

He settled Adele onto the sofa, his words a gentle murmur.

"But it's rather late now, and Aria may already be asleep."

He had departed during Ariana's peaceful repose, fully aware of her need for rest due to her injury.

Holden couldn't help but recall Ariana's appearance at the hospital, evoking a tangle of emotions.

Adele cast her gaze downward, toying with her own fingers. After a while, she raised her hopeful eyes to Holden, a soft utterance escaping her lips.

"Aria, miss."

Seeing his daughter's earnest plea, Holden found it impossible to resist her request. Denial was out of the question. He sought to console her, saying, “Very well, we shall call Aria. If she doesn't answer, then we'll both take some rest, alright?"

Adele offered a slight nod, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she fixed her gaze upon Holden.

In a contemplative moment, Holden decided to employ a secondary work phone to reach out to Ariana. He presumed she would be at the hospital, Likely in repose, and might not respond.

To his astonishment, after a couple of rings, Ariana picked up the call.

“Hello?" came a gentle woman's voice from the other end. Holden momentarily faltered, enveloped in silence.

Ariana found the call perplexing, her gaze fixed on the unfamiliar number.